Did you know that 55% – or 47 million – of U.S. cats are overweight or obese?

The average domestic cat should weigh 8-10 pounds. Persian and Siamese cats can range between 6-12 pounds, and Maine Coon cats can be normal at up to 25 pounds. But these are the exceptions to the rule.

When a vet recommends that a cat lose two or three pounds, pet owners usually don’t take action. But that is often thinking in human weight terms.

Here’s what a few extra pounds on a cat would equate to in a human:

Two pounds is similar to 28 pounds on a 140-pound woman

Three pounds is similar to 42 pounds on a 140-pound woman

Five pounds is similar to 70 pounds on a 140-pound woman

Eight pounds is similar to 112 pounds on a 140-pound woman

Obesity contributes to many medical conditions in cats including diabetes, arthritis, heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, compromised immune function and may even predispose them to certain types of cancer. It has been well documented that cats maintaining an ideal body weight live longer, and with less disease, than overweight cats.

What Foods Help Cats Lose Weight
As carnivores, it is often easiest and healthiest for cats to lose weight on high-protein, low-carbohydrate canned food. These foods allow cats to lose weight while still maintaining lean body mass and strength. Treats must also be chosen wisely, with no more than 10 percent of a cat’s daily calories.